Persistent heavy rainfall in recent days has triggered landslides in the village of Gorrisht, located along the Vllahin-Poçem road axis in southern Albania, causing concern among local residents about safety and agricultural losses. The phenomenon has highlighted the vulnerability of rural communities to extreme weather events and raised questions about long-term preparation and response.
Rainfall and the Trigger for Landslides
According to local reports, the intense rain in the region — part of a broader period of bad weather across Albania — has caused soil instability in the hilly terrain surrounding Gorrisht. As a result, sections of land have slid down slopes toward roads and fields, damaging farmland and threatening the stability of the remaining terrain.
Heavy rainfall has also been affecting other parts of Albania, with national meteorological agencies previously warning of intense rain and flooding risks across the country. These forecasts included possibilities for landslides, river flooding, and flash floods during prolonged wet periods.
Impact on Local Communities
In Gorrisht, farmers have reported that significant areas of agricultural land have been undermined or washed away by shifting soil, directly threatening their crops and livelihoods. Residents have also expressed fear that continued rainfall could worsen soil movement and affect homes, roads, and utilities if conditions do not improve soon.
Although the landslides have so far been localized and have not led to reported casualties, the concerns center on future risks. Locals are calling for preventive measures and support, including:
• Assessment by geotechnical experts to determine soil stability
• Reinforcement of slopes and drainage systems
• Improved early warning or monitoring systems
• Emergency planning and resource allocation for at-risk areas
Regional Weather Patterns and Context
This localized incident in Gorrisht is part of a wider pattern of severe weather affecting Albania and the Balkans this winter. Meteorological forecasts had earlier indicated that periods of heavy rain — especially in northern and central regions — could result in flooding of rivers, poor drainage performance in urban centers, and landslides on unstable slopes.
For example, intense rain in early January led to flooding across parts of central and coastal Albania, with hundreds of homes inundated and residents evacuated in places like Durrës and other low-lying areas.
In addition to flooding, soil saturation from repeated rain showers increases the likelihood of landslides, particularly in regions where terrain gradients are sharp and soil composition is prone to erosion. This is a well-documented climate risk that authorities often cite when issuing rainfall warnings and emergency advisories.
Challenges and Preparedness
Despite early warnings and existing forecasts from geoscience institutes, many rural communities in Albania — including Gorrisht — lack robust infrastructure to resist sudden soil displacement, such as retaining walls, effective drainage channels, or slope stabilization features.
Experts have long noted that landslides in Albania can be triggered not only by intense rain but also by deforestation, steep agricultural practices, and inadequate land management. While official geoscience agencies monitor broad weather risks, localized hazard mitigation often depends on municipal resources and planning capacity.
Locals in Gorrisht have pressed authorities for immediate assistance and long-term planning to reduce the risk of future landslides. This includes requests for technical surveys to identify the most vulnerable slopes and potentially rerouting or reinforcing sections of the road where sliding soil threatens transport infrastructure.
Broader National Concerns
Heavy rains this season have prompted emergency responses elsewhere in Albania, leading to transport disruptions, flooded farmlands, and infrastructure stress. Residents in several districts have experienced similar concerns about rising waters, road blockages, and property damage due to severe weather, underscoring the need for coordinated national action on climate resilience and disaster preparedness.
In the face of ongoing unsettled weather, especially during winter and early spring, authorities and experts continue to monitor conditions and issue advisories for areas at risk of flooding and landslides.